2 in 1: The Hero and The Protector by Donna Grant

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Date of publication: December 2016

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved…


The Hero is he first book in the Sons of Texas series.  This fist book sets up a main story arc that spreads across this and the next two books in the series.  Owen and his brothers, Cullen and Wyatt, are all called out of the field when their father goes missing and their aunt and uncle are murdered.  It seems their ex-military father stole a bio-weapon from the Russian government.  Now he is missing and Owen and his brothers must keep three women safe.    This one is Owen and Natalie's story.,

I liked this one.  Owen and Natalie have a history.  As much as they resist, the attraction is still there.  Owen was very proactive in making Natalie realize they have been given a second chance and need to be together. Along with the romance, the action scenes were intense and exciting. There was a good balance between the action and romance.   The couple does find out a few things about what happened to Owen's father.  However, there is no real resolution to the case.  I do recommend this one.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Date of publication: January 2017

When Marine Force Recon captain Cullen Loughman learns that his father’s been kidnapped, he will do whatever it takes to find him. In order to achieve his mission, Cullen will need to team up with the best of the best—someone who just happens to be the most stunning woman he’s ever laid eyes on…

This isn’t the first rodeo for ex—Air Force pilot Mia Carter. Still, Cullen’s bad-boy good looks and charm are distracting her from duty. . .and it appears that the feeling is mutual. As Mia and Cullen make their descent into a dark, dangerous world, their attraction reaches the boiling point. But is their desire worth the risk when a ruthless enemy is waiting in the wings—or will their Lone Star love conquer all?

The Protector takes place at pretty much the same time as The Hero.  Throughout The Hero, Owen and his brother, Wyatt, are not able to get in touch with Cullen.  He has been sent to protect Mia, the pilot who flew their father on his mission to Russia.   I will warn, that this book does not hold up well as a stand alone.  It assumes you have read the first one. so you may find yourself lost if you haven't.  

That being said, I didn't enjoy this one.  While I did like finding out more about what was going on with their father, I thought it was overall kind of boring.  Nothing really happens. I never got the real sense that either of Mia or Cullen were in danger.  I didn't like Cullen and Mia together.  There was no chemistry between them.  The author had to constantly remind  me that they found each other attractive.  The "I Love Yous" in the end actually made me giggle.  It was just kind of cheesy.  I also laughed when I found out what the bio weapon is supposed to do.  When it comes to something like that, I need to at least have it be remotely believable.  It just wasn't and I couldn't suspend my disbelief.     I will be continuing. I want to read Callie and Wyatt's story and to hopefully see the storyline finally wrap up... because it needs to in the next one.  It has dragged on way too long.